Recommending electronic content based upon user availablity

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and program product for recommending a digital publication. A computing device identifies a time interval for consuming a digital publication, based on schedule information in an electronic calendar. The computing device determines, based on characteristics of the time interval and a criteria, a digital publication, from a plurality of digital publications, for human consumption within the identified time interval.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/724,429 filed Dec. 21, 2012 the entire content and disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of digital publications,and more particularly to recommending a digital publication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Digital publications, such as electronic books (ebooks), magazines, andjournals, are popular formats for individuals to download content to acomputing device, such as a mobile device, and read while the individualis on the go. In some cases, the individual has already begun reading anebook and desires to continue reading the ebook selection. Mobileindividuals in transition that desire additional electronic literaturetypically spend additional time manually searching for additionalelectronic content.

Ebooks are typically downloaded from an online website and storedlocally on the computing device for subsequent viewing. An electronicreader (ereader) is required to view and or manipulate an ebook.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, andprogram product for recommending a digital publication. A computingdevice identifies a time interval for consuming a digital publication,based on schedule information in an electronic calendar. The computingdevice determines, based on characteristics of the time interval and acriteria, a digital publication, from a plurality of digitalpublications, for human consumption within the identified time interval.

In certain embodiments, the characteristics of the time intervalinclude: day of the week of the time interval; context of the timeinterval; start time and end time of the time interval; whether the timeinterval is indicated as available; or whether there is a time intervaladjacent to the indentified time interval that is indicated asavailable.

In other embodiments, context includes: purpose; whether the timeinterval is reoccurring; whether the time interval spans an entire day;or whether there is a special notation associated with the timeinterval.

In still other embodiments, the criteria includes: a user profile; adigital publication profile; or a purchase price range of a digitalpublication.

In additional embodiments, the user profile includes: user age; gender;education; health considerations; commute schedule; or digitalpublication recommendations.

In certain embodiments, the digital publication profile includes: genre;author; readability score; type of publication; prior downloaded digitalpublications; digital publication consumption time estimate; orhistorical digital publication consumption rate per unit of time.

In other embodiments, the readability score is determined based on oneor more of: the Flesch formula; Dale-Chall formula; Gunning fog index;Fry readability graph; G. Harry McLaughlin's Smog Readability Formula;FORCAST formula; a predetermined reading rate; and a readability formulathat measures the ease with which a publication can be read andunderstood by a human, or that measures the suitability of a publicationfor reading, understanding, or both by a human.

In still other embodiments, the computer determines, based on thecharacteristics of the time interval and the criteria, the extent of thehuman consumption possible within the identified time interval.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a digital publicationrecommending environment, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 depicts three exemplary illustrations, a user's calendar,contents of a digital publication store, and output of a digitalpublication recommending program, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting the operational steps that a digitalpublication recommending program, running on a computing device, takesfor recommending digital publication content, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting the operational steps that a digitalpublication recommending program, running on a computing device, takesfor recommending digital publication content, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of components of the computing deviceexecuting the digital publication recommending program, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Digital publications, such as electronic books (ebooks), journals, andmagazines, are text and image-based publications in digital formproduced on, published by, and readable on a computing or otherelectronic device. Ebooks are often read on computing devices thatutilize ebook reading software (ereader). Personal computers, mobiledevices, such as smart phones and tablet computers, and other suitabledevices may also be used for reading ebooks.

Users may not finish reading an ebook in a single sitting or readingsession. Readers often need multiple reading sessions to finish readingan ebook. In some cases, busy readers may have only a limited time thatthey can dedicate to reading an ebook in one session. In other cases, areader may have already started on an ebook or article and will pick upwhere they left off. However, for those in transition looking for thenext ebook or electronic publication (epublication), a portion of thetime that could be allotted to reading is instead spent searching forcontent rather than utilizing that time for reading.

Readability is the ease in which text, such as that contained in adigital publication, can be read and understood by a user. There are aplurality of formulas that determine readability, such as the Fleschformula, Dale-Chall formula, Gunning fog index, Fry readability graph;G. Harry McLaughlin's Smog Readability Formula; FORCAST formula. Forexample, the Gunning fog index estimates the years of formal training(i.e., the minimum required reading level) needed to understand aparticular text on a first reading. For example, a Gunning fog index of12 requires the reading level of a United States high school senior.

The Gunning fog index is calculated using equation [1].

I=[(words/sentences)+(complex words/words)]  [1]

wherein I is the readability score and a complex word includes thosewords with three or more syllables, but does not include proper nouns,familiar jargon, or compounds words. Furthermore, a complex word neitherincludes common suffixes, such as -es, -ed, or -ing, as a syllable.

In describing embodiments of the invention, the phrases “time interval”and “timeslot” are used interchangeably. “Digital publication” and“digital publication selection” are also used interchangeably indescribing embodiments of the invention.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of theinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the invention may take the form of anentirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects that may all generally bereferred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore,aspects of the invention may take the form of a computer program productembodied in one or more computer-readable medium(s) having computerreadable program code/instructions embodied thereon.

Any combination of computer-readable media may be utilized.Computer-readable media may be a computer-readable signal medium or acomputer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium maybe, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, ordevice, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specificexamples (a non-exhaustive list) of a computer-readable storage mediumwould include the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compactdisc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magneticstorage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In thecontext of this document, a computer-readable storage medium may be anytangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer-readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer-readable signal medium may be any computer-readable medium thatis not a computer-readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of theinvention may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages, including an object oriented programming language such asJava, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The program code may execute entirely on a user's computer,partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partlyon the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely onthe remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remotecomputer may be connected to the user's computer through any type ofnetwork, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (forexample, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the invention are described below with reference to flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) andcomputer program products according to embodiments of the invention. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/orblock diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, createmeans for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmabledata processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions, whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce acomputer-implemented process such that the instructions, which executeon the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to theFigures. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a digitalpublication predicting environment (DPPE), generally designated 100, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. DPPE 100 includescomputing device 110, and servers 120 and 140 connected over network130. Network 130 can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a widearea network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of the two,and can include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. In general,network 130 can be any combination of connections and protocols thatwill support communications between computing devices 110 and 120.

Servers 120 and 140 are associated with network 130, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. Servers 120 and 140 represent serversthat provide software applications with services, such as security, dataservices, transaction support, load balancing, and management ofdistributed systems, to computing device 110.

Server 120 includes digital publications and/or digital publicationsuggestions. Digital publication suggestions can be based onrecommendations, for example, those provided by a best seller listing,an author's new/related work, or price range. In an embodiment of theinvention, server 120 can be associated with a proprietary entity, suchas an online book store, wherein digital publications are distributedfor a fee. In another embodiment, server 120 may be associated with anon-proprietary entity, such as a public library, whose distributionscheme is nonmonetary in nature.

Server 140 includes preferences, current and historic activities, andrecommendations associated with digital publications, such as the titleand/or author of an associate's reading selection. Server 140 providessocial media applications to computing devices within DPPE 100, such ascomputing device 110, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Computing device 110 represents a computing device utilized by a user todownload, access, and/or view a digital publication, for example, anebook, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Computingdevice 110 includes electronic calendar program 112, schedule store 113,digital publication store 117, digital publication reader 114, userprofile store 115, and digital publication recommending program 116. Inan embodiment, electronic calendar program 112 is associated withschedule store 113, an information repository that can includeuser-specific schedule or contact information. Electronic calendarprogram 112 represents software that includes an electronic calendar.Further, schedule store 113 includes a user's occupied and unoccupiedtimeslots and concomitant information, such as durational information,for example, a New York City trip from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM. In anembodiment, schedule store 113 includes a time interval and concomitantcharacteristics, for example, day of the week, context, start and/or endtime, whether the time interval is indicated as available, and/orwhether there is a time interval adjacent to an identified time intervalthat is indicated as available. For example, context of a time intervalcan include purpose, such as work, personal, or special event, whetherthe time interval is recurring, whether the time interval spans theentire day, and/or whether there is any special notation associated withthat particular time interval or adjacent time interval. For example, ahuman user is attending a conference in Las Vegas, Nev. and theircloud-based electronic calendar is unavailable before noon. The humanuser's cloud-based electronic calendar reflects a 3-hour available timeinterval beginning at noon and no availability after 3:00 PM due to thehuman user traveling to White Plains, N.Y. Here, contextual informationabout the time slot includes the White Plains travel plans, Las Vegasconference information, and/or the White Plains flight information.

Electronic calendar program 112 can store, via schedule store 113, auser's schedule, for example, their work schedule, leisure schedule,reading schedule, and/or appointment schedule. In general, electroniccalendar program 112 can be any calendaring software capable of storinga user's work schedule, leisure schedule, reading schedule, and/orappointment schedule, according to an embodiment of the invention.Digital publication store 117 is associated with digital publicationreader 114 and digital publication recommending program 116, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Digital publication store 117 is an information repository that includesdigital publications, for example, ebooks, electronic publications, andelectronic articles, and concomitant information, for example genre,author, price, information that reflects whether a particular digitalpublication is currently being accessed by the user, and a user'sreading progress as per a particular digital publication selection. Inan embodiment, digital publication store 117 includes a digitalpublication profile. A digital publication profile includes genre,author, type of digital publication, prior downloaded digitalpublication, digital publication consumption time estimate, orhistorical digital publication consumption rate per unit of time.

Although not shown, digital publication store 117 can include aplurality of information repositories. In an embodiment, digitalpublication store 117 is associated with network 130. Digitalpublication reader 114 is included in computing device 110. Digitalpublication reader 114 includes digital publication store 117, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Digital publicationreader 114 represents software utilized by a user to retrieve, access,via computing device 110, and/or view a digital publication within DPRP116. Digital publication reader 114 can retrieve, via computing device110, a digital publication from, for example, server 120.

Further, digital publication reader 114 can store a digital publication,for example, in digital publication store 117. Further still, digitalpublication reader 114 can retrieve and access a digital publication,for example, digital publications included in digital publication store117 and server 120. Furthermore, digital publication reader 114 candisplay, via computing device 110, digital publications, in the form ofone or more pages. Digital publication reader 114 may include a userinterface (not shown) with which a user may access, view, and/ormanipulate a digital publication. In general, digital publication reader114 can be any software that can retrieve, access, store, and displaydigital publications, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

User profile store 115 is included in computing device 110 andassociated with digital publication recommending program 116, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. User profile store 115represents an information repository that includes a user's digitalpublication preferences, for example, genre(s), price range, andinformation reflecting a user predetermined reading/education level. Inan embodiment, user profile store 115 can include a user profile,purchase price range of a digital publication, and/or total cost of adigital publication purchase. User profile includes a user age, gender,education, health considerations, commute schedule, or digitalpublication recommendation.

DPRP 116, included in computing device 110, is associated with digitalpublication store 117, user profile store 115, and schedule store 113,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment,DPRP 116 is software that determines the readability of a digitalpublication selection (selection) and, comparing the determination to auser's time constraints as reflected in the user's calendar, determinesthe extent to which the reader will be able to read the selection withina particular period of time and determine alternative selections, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, DPRP116 is software that identifies a time interval for consuming a digitalpublication, based on schedule information in an electronic calendar,and determines, based characteristics of the time interval and acriteria, a digital publication, from a plurality of digitalpublications, for human consumption within the identified time interval.

DPRP 116 includes user profile store 115. DPRP 116 can determine auser's ability to read a portion of a desired digital publication, suchas a chapter. DPRP 116 can determine a readability score (defined above)of a digital publication included in, for example, digital publicationstore 117 and/or server 120. In an embodiment, DPRP 116 can determinethe reading level of a book and, comparing to a user's time constraints,(e.g., determined from their calendar), determine if the user will havefree time to complete a portion of a digital publication in a givenperiod of time and to possibly make an alternate reading recommendation.In an embodiment, DPRP 116 can identify a time interval for consuming adigital publication, based on schedule information included in anelectronic calendar, for example, schedule information included inschedule store 113, and determine, based on characteristics of the timeinterval and concomitant criteria included in schedule store 113, adigital publication, from a plurality of digital publication included indigital publication store 117 and/or server 120, for human consumptionwithin the identified time interval included in electronic calendarprogram 112.

For example, criteria can include the user profile, digital publicationprofile, or purchase price range of a digital publication. Purchaseprice range of a digital publication reflects the preferred purchaseprice range for a single digital publication recommended by DPRP 116and/or the preferred price range for the total cost of a plurality ofdigital publications recommended by DPRP 116.

In an additional embodiment, DPRP 116 can determine an alternativeselection. DPRP 116 can access schedule store 113, digital publicationstore 117, and digital publication store 117. In addition, DPRP 116 canaccess servers 120 and 140. DPRP 116 can access social mediaapplications and concomitant information, for example, digitalpublication recommendations, included in server 140. Furthermore, DPRP116 can determine a user's availability.

Concepts introduced in the following discussions of FIG. 2 will be usedfurther in the discussion of FIG. 3, in the context of digitalpublication predicting environment 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates anexample wherein a user has a finite amount of free time to read aparticular digital publication on a particular day and DPRP 116determines the reader's ability to consume the digital publicationwithin the allotted time frame. Specifically, FIG. 2 depicts threeexemplary illustrations, a user's calendar, the contents of digitalpublication store 117, and output of DPRP 116, labeled A, B, and C,respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Illustration A is a depiction of the reader's schedule included inschedule store 113 that reflects an available three-hour timeslot onFriday, May 2, 2012, from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM. To begin, the userexecutes digital publication reader 114 and selects Jane Eyre byCharlotte Brontë (the selection) for reading. DPRP 116 determines thatthe user has made the selection and the date and time of the selection(schedule information), 2:00 PM on Friday, May 2, 2012. In addition,DPRP 116 determines that the user has an available time interval from2:00 PM until 5:00 PM for a total of three hours (unoccupied time)during a trip to New York City (characteristic of the time interval). Inan alternative example, DPRP 116 identifies 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM onFriday, May 2012 as a time interval for consuming a digital publication.Subsequently, DPRP 116 accesses the selection included in digitalpublication reader 114 and determines the extent to which the user canconsume the selection during the available time interval.

For example, DPRP 116 determines the readility score (RS), such as theGunning fog index, of the selection and compares it to the userspredefined education level (EDU). If DPRP 116 determines that EDU isgreater than or equal to RS (i.e., user has sufficient education to readthe selection), then DPRP 116 determines progress utilizing the averagereading rate (ARR), 300 words per minute and equation [2].

W _(t) =T*ARR   [2]

wherein W_(t) is the amount of words one can read within time, T.

Subsequently, DPRP 116 converts W_(t) into pages of the selection. Forexample, a W_(t) of 54,000 words corresponds to 120 pages in theselection for a selection formatted with 450 words per page. If DPRP 116determines that EDU is less than RS (user does not have sufficienteducation to render the selection suitable, for example, suitability ofa selection can mean the ease at which a reader can read and comprehendthe selection, and/or the satisfaction that the reader can expect toderive from the selection), then DPRP 116 displays a warning anddetermines an alternative digital publication selection (alternativeselection). In another embodiment, if DPRP 116 determines that EDU isless than RS, then DPRP 116 displays both a warning and the selection,and determines an alternative selection.

DPRP 116 determines the genre of the selection, accesses digitalpublications included in digital publication store 117 (illustration2B), and determines which digital publications are of the same/similargenre as the selection (alternative selection), determines the estimatedprogress for the alternative selection, and displays the alternativeselection and determined estimated progress. In an alternative example,DPRP 116 determines the digital publications depicted in illustration 2Bbased on characteristics of the time interval (New York Trip on Friday,May 2, 2012, from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM) included in schedule store 113,a user profile (defined above), included in user profile store 115,digital publication profile associated with the selection, such as genre(Gothic fiction) and author (Charlotte Brontë), and preferred purchaseprice range, such as twenty dollars, included in digital publicationstore 117. In particular, DPRP 116 determines estimated progress inillustration C utilizing equation [2] discussed above.

In an example, digital publications are included in digital publicationstore 117 and/or server 120. DPRP 116 can determine an alternativeselection by accessing the digital publication suggestions included inservers 120 and 140. Here, DPRP 116 communicates, for example, using anapplication programming interface, with an application included inserver 120 and determines recently/highly downloaded digitalpublications of a similar/the same genre included in digital publicationstore 117, and displays the title and author of the determined digitalpublications.

Illustration 2C is a snapshot of the selection and alternativeselections displayed, via computing device 110, by DPRP 116.Illustration 2C includes the time, date, and duration of the availabletime interval. Illustration 2C also includes a first option, the user'scurrent selection, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, and a determinedprogress estimate, chapters 5-10, within three hours. Illustration 2Calso includes a first alternative selection, The Odyssey by Homer, and adetermined progress, chapters 1-3 within three hours. Illustration 2Calso includes a second alternative selection, wherein the user mayconsume a portion, chapters 5-8, of the first option, Jane Eyre byCharlotte Brontë, within two hours; and a portion, chapter one, of thefirst alternative selection, The Odyssey by Homer, within one hour.

In an alternative embodiment, DPRP 116 may re-analyze the selectionbased on, for example, whether updates occur to the user profile,digital publication profile, purchase price range for a digitalpublication, computing device 110 usage, or internet connectivity duringthe available time interval. In an additional embodiment, DPRP 116 mayre-analyze the selection based on, for example, whether the user has asubsequent activity and/or event scheduled the purchase price of thealternative selection, availability of a selection, or user healthconsiderations. For example, user health considerations can includebiometric gathered data or user-provided data on heart rate, bloodpressure, and/or stress levels.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting the operational steps that DPRP 116,running on computing device 110, takes for recommending digitalpublication content, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.DPRP 116 determines which digital publication the user is currentlyaccessing (step 300). DPRP 116 determines the readability score of theaccessed digital publication (step 310). DPRP 116 determines whether theuser has sufficient education to render the selection suitable(decisional 320). If DPRP 116 determines that the user does not havesufficient education to render the selection suitable (“no” branch,decisional 320), then DPRP 116 displays a warning (step 325) anddetermines the progress of the accessed digital publication (step 326).

However, if DPRP 116 determines that the user has sufficient educationto render the selection suitable (“yes” branch, decisional 320), thenDPRP 116 executes step 326 (discussed above). Subsequently, DPRP 116displays the digital publication and concomitant progress (step 330)determines an alternative digital publication selection for the user(step 340). Subsequently, DPRP 116 displays the alternative digitalpublication selection and concomitant determined progress (step 350).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting the operational steps that DPRP 116,running on computing device 110, takes for recommending digitalpublication content, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.DPRP 116 identifies a time interval for consuming a digital publication(step 400). DPRP 116 determines the characteristics of the time interval(step 410). DPRP 116 determines the criteria (step 420). Subsequently,DPRP 116 determines a digital publication (step 430).

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of components of computing device 110, inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. It shouldbe appreciated that FIG. 5 provides only an illustration of oneimplementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to theenvironments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Manymodifications to the depicted environment may be made.

Computing device 110 includes communications fabric 502, which providescommunications between computer processor(s) 504, memory 506, persistentstorage 508, communications unit 510, and input/output (I/O)interface(s) 512. Communications fabric 502 can be implemented with anyarchitecture designed for passing data and/or control informationbetween processors (such as microprocessors, communications and networkprocessors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any otherhardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric502 can be implemented with one or more buses.

Memory 506 and persistent storage 508 are computer-readable storagemedia. In this embodiment, memory 506 includes random access memory(RAM) 514 and cache memory 516. In general, memory 506 can include anysuitable volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage media.

DPRP 116 is stored in persistent storage 508 for execution by one ormore of the respective computer processors 504 via one or more memoriesof memory 506. In this embodiment, persistent storage 508 includes amagnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetichard disk drive, persistent storage 508 can include a solid state harddrive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any othercomputer-readable storage media that is capable of storing programinstructions or digital information.

The media used by persistent storage 508 may also be removable. Forexample, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 508.Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, andsmart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto anothercomputer-readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage508.

Communications unit 510, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices, including applicationserver 120. In these examples, communications unit 510 includes one ormore network interface cards. Communications unit 510 may providecommunications through the use of either or both physical and wirelesscommunications links. DPRP 116 may be downloaded to persistent storage508 through communications unit 510.

I/O interface(s) 512 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to server computer 102. For example, I/Ointerface 512 may provide a connection to external devices 518 such as akeyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable inputdevice. External devices 518 can also include portable computer-readablestorage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical ormagnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practiceembodiments of the invention, e.g., DPRP 116, can be stored on suchportable computer-readable storage media and can be loaded ontopersistent storage 508 via I/O interface(s) 512. I/O interface(s) 512also connect to a display 520.

Display 520 provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be,for example, a computer monitor.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus theinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for recommending a digital publication,the method comprising: a computing device identifying a time intervalfor consuming a digital publication, based on schedule information in anelectronic calendar; and the computing device determining, based oncharacteristics of the time interval and a criteria, a digitalpublication, from a plurality of digital publications, for humanconsumption within the identified time interval.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the characteristics of the time interval include one or moreof: day of the week of the time interval; context of the time interval;start time and end time of the time interval; whether the time intervalis indicated as available; or whether there is a time interval adjacentto the identified time interval that is indicated as available.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein context includes one or more of: purpose;whether the time interval is reoccurring; whether the time intervalspans an entire day; or whether there is a special notation associatedwith the time interval.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the criteriaincludes one or more of: a user profile; a digital publication profile;or a purchase price range of a digital publication.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the user profile includes one or more of: user age;gender; education; health considerations; commute schedule; or digitalpublication recommendations.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein thedigital publication profile includes one or more of: genre; author;readability score; type of publication; prior downloaded digitalpublications; digital publication consumption time estimate; orhistorical digital publication consumption rate per unit of time.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the readability score is determined based onone or more of: Flesch formula; Dale-Chall formula; Gunning Fog index;Fry Readility graph; McLaughlin's SMOG formula, FORCAST formula, apredetermined reading rate, and a readability formula that measures easewith which a publication can be read and understood by a human, or thatmeasures suitability of a publication for reading, understanding, orboth by a human.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: thecomputing device determining, based on the characteristics of the timeinterval and the criteria, the extent of the human consumption possiblewithin the identified time interval.